Sony ushers in new Exmor R CMOS sensor with five new Cyber-shots

The Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V, DSC-TX10, DSC-HX7V, DSC-WX10 and DSC-WX9 use a new 16.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS chip to create 3D (and 2D) still images and videos with just one lens.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V

These new models strive to provide better low-light performance, 10 fps shooting in burst mode and the popular Intelligent Sweep Panorama function. Each camera will also have a Dual Rec mode for taking still images and video simultaneously.

The new cameras will capture 3D content via the previously released 3D Sweep Panorama technology or a new 3D Still Image Mode. Sweep mode requires that the shooter sweeps the camera to capture a panorama that is later stitched together with left and right eye images to create a 3D image. The new 3D Still mode takes two consecutive shots at different focus positions to calculate depth and then creates left and right eye images for the 3D effect. The resulting photo from this process and the 3D sweep can be viewed on a 3D compatible screen for the full effect.

Also available is 3D Sweep Mutli Angle mode. Fifteen images are captured at different angles, and when the image is displayed on the camera’s monitor the user can tilt the screen back and forth to view the image with a 3D-like effect.

Sony Cyber-shot TX100V and DSC-TX10The TX100V will record full 1080 HD video at 60p, something that Sony claims as a first for a digital still camera. It also offers a 3.5-inch OLED touch screen with 1.2 million dots of resolution, a standout feature among this crop of Cyber-shot cameras. A built-in GPS offers automatic recording of shot location and direction.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V

The TX100V will offer Intelligent Scene Recognition, drawing from 12 different scene modes. There are 36 individual scene modes for consumers to choose from. It’s the only camera in this crop of Cyber-shots to offer an HDR feature to compile three images into one photo. Other cameras offer a Backlight Correction HDR mode to correct for difficult lighting.

On the more pedestrian side, it has a 4x zoom f/3.5-4.6 lens with folded optics and will accept SD, SDHC, SDXC and Memory Stick Duo cards.

The TX10 is a rugged model waterproof to 16 feet, shockproof up to five feet, dustproof and freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It will have a 3.0-inch LCD.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10

Sony Cyber-shot HX7VThe HX7V offers a longer 10x optical zoom f/3.5-5.5 lens. It will have a 3.0-inch LCD with 921k-dots of resolution. Like the TX100V, it will have a GPS and compass function to aid in locating and document photo locations. Recording at 1080 at 60i is available, as is 10 fps burst shooting at full 16 megapixel resolution.

The WX9 offers a 5x zoom and a 24mm wide angle of view. Like the WX10, it captures 10 fps at full resolution in burst mode and 1080 HD videos at 60i. It will host a somewhat smaller 2.8-inch screen with 460k-dots of resolution. This camera and each of the new Exmor Cyber-shots will utilize optical image stabilization.

Pricing and availabilityAll of the models listed above will be available in March. The Sony Cyber-shot TX100V will be offered in silver, black and red for $399.99 and the rugged TX10 will be offered in silver, black, green, blue and pink for $329.99. The Cyber-shot HX7V will feature black, white, red and blue color options and sell for $299.99. The WX9 will be sold in black, silver and red for $219.99, and the WX10 will be offered only in black for $279.99.